Massive Hole in Diff Cover!
01-15-2008, 10:12 AM
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Massive Hole in Diff Cover! On my way to work this morning, I pulled into a gas station and drove over a small curb while making a sharp left turn. It was nothing major, just a little bump and I rode over it slowly.
As I did that, I heard a clunk coming from the rear of the car. I kept pulling up to the gas station, and then heard what I thought was a flat tire, a kind of rubbing sound. I stopped and hopped out thinking I was going to put the spare on.
But as I came around to the rear of the car, I saw rear-end fluid pouring out of the diff cover. I looked under and saw a long rip in the cover. It looks like the reluctor wheel hit the inside of the cover and cut it.
I have noticed a kind of clunking from the rear from time to time, so it's no surprise. I guess the 60mph tire smoking burn outs finally took their toll on the 10 bolt! I'll bet the main caps came loose and the carrier is moving around in there.
I haven't checked yet, but is the cover steel or aluminum? I think I can weld it up so I can get it back in the road until I get a 12 bolt. Can I run without the reluctor wheel? I might just check to see if I can tighten the mains and salvage the rear for a while.
As I did that, I heard a clunk coming from the rear of the car. I kept pulling up to the gas station, and then heard what I thought was a flat tire, a kind of rubbing sound. I stopped and hopped out thinking I was going to put the spare on.
But as I came around to the rear of the car, I saw rear-end fluid pouring out of the diff cover. I looked under and saw a long rip in the cover. It looks like the reluctor wheel hit the inside of the cover and cut it.
I have noticed a kind of clunking from the rear from time to time, so it's no surprise. I guess the 60mph tire smoking burn outs finally took their toll on the 10 bolt! I'll bet the main caps came loose and the carrier is moving around in there.
I haven't checked yet, but is the cover steel or aluminum? I think I can weld it up so I can get it back in the road until I get a 12 bolt. Can I run without the reluctor wheel? I might just check to see if I can tighten the mains and salvage the rear for a while.
01-15-2008, 10:19 AM
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Factory cover is steel, but the reluctor shouldn't be anywhere near close enough to touch it. The only way that could happen is if the carrier actually moved rearward; and the only way THAT could happen is with broken or backed out bearing caps, REALLY worn carrier bearings (as in no rollers left), or a broken carrier. That much movement may also damage the axles.
01-15-2008, 10:20 AM
#3
im suprised it held together as long as it did. I would definently check out whats wrong before just welding it and getting back on the road. I can see the main caps loose for sure. good luck.. and just think, you wont have to have your tire fixed.
01-15-2008, 10:26 AM
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Factory cover is steel, but the reluctor shouldn't be anywhere near close enough to touch it. The only way that could happen is if the carrier actually moved rearward; and the only way THAT could happen is with broken or backed out bearing caps, REALLY worn carrier bearings (as in no rollers left), or a broken carrier. That much movement may also damage the axles.
